In yet another significant change in policy, two U.S. officials said the Biden administration has authorised the first-ever transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine. The ruling was made just days after the US allowed Ukraine to launch long-range US missiles at Russian targets, a change that only came about as a result of months of Kyiv lobbying.
This decision comes after Russia's military declared taking a village in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, with fighters closing in on Kurakhove. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that the troops have captured the settlement of Voznesenka in the Donetsk region.
Russia also claimed to have damaged Ukrainian airfields and energy installations, as well as shot down 78 drones, according to state news agency RIA.
Russian troops have been gradually advancing on Ukrainian defensive lines; the US plans for Kyiv to utilise the anti-personnel mines. Moscow has paid a heavy price for the gruelling conflict; according to Ukraine, Russia has sustained its largest number of losses this week. However, due to Russia's relentless pressure and the lack of Ukrainian troops and weapons, the Russian military has been able to progressively take over more land.
The United States anticipates that Ukraine will not employ these anti-personnel mines as an offensive capability in Russia but rather to strengthen defensive lines within its own sovereign territory. Additionally, the US has asked for guarantees that Ukraine will make an effort to reduce the danger that the mines pose to people.
The United States has been supplying Ukraine with anti-tank mines from the beginning of the conflict in order to counter Russia's numerical advantage in armoured vehicles. But due to worries about the long-term threat they could pose, the Biden administration had not yet supplied Ukraine with anti-personnel mines. Because anti-personnel mines can kill without discrimination and can continue to be used for years after the conflict in which they were first deployed has finished, human rights organisations have long opposed their deployment.
&nbsp;

Soldier laying anti personnel land mine (file phot from war zone)

Russia in recent days seized two villages, Kurakhove and Voznesenka, and now, according to the latest news, Russian troops have entered Chasiv Yar city.

Will US Mines Help Defend Ukraine from Russia?

Russia in recent days seized two villages, Kurakhove and Voznesenka, and now, according to the latest news, Russian troops have entered Chasiv Yar cit ...

November 20, 2024 | 11:58 IST